Highway News
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Highway News
‘Concern’ As 7.5 Tonne Ban On Severn Bridge BeginsFrom today vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will no longer be able to use the original crossing because the cables which support the bridge are deteriorating.
National Highways said safety was their “number one priority” and the weight restriction was to future-proof the bridge “for years to come”, but there are concerns the move will see more congestion on the Prince of Wales Bridge as well as other routes as HGV traffic has to use a 13-mile diversion back to the M4 Magor junction.
“It’s going to be a right mess, I am just dreading it,” said Darren Hobbs, transport manager for Jaga Brothers Tranport based in Magor.
“A lot of our work is time delivered – we are going to be ringing our customers to say, ‘sorry we can’t get there’,” he said, telling the BBC that the ban will create up to two hours extra work for drivers.
He said traffic in the area, particular on Friday was “carnage” and believes the changes will only make that worse.
According to National Highways, the UK government body which maintains the bridges, 32,000 vehicles used the M48 bridge a day in 2024. Of that figure 10% were over 7.5 tonnes, meaning an extra 3,270 large vehicles a day could have to find a different route.
National Highways said since tolls were removed on the bridge in 2018 there has been a 34% increase in traffic, which has meant a substantial increase in weight over the bridge which it was not designed for.
Confused.com car insurance expert Rhydian Jones said: “With HGVs being redirected to the M4 Severn Bridge instead, this is likely to have a huge knock-on effect for other road users, resulting in heavier traffic and delays on that popular route. The M4 is already one of the busiest links between Wales and England, used daily by commuters, airport travellers, and delivery drivers.
“With more large vehicles joining that route, drivers should plan for slower journeys, particularly during rush hour or busy travel periods.”
(Pic: The lorry-free Severn Bridge this morning, by Paul Hutton)road-bridge
May 27, 2025
Highway News
Mobility Aftermarket Division Helps Bosch Uk And Ireland Posts Sales Of £3.3 BillionBosch concluded its 2024 fiscal year with £3.3 billion in consolidated sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the Mobility Aftermarket division making a ‘significant contribution’, demonstrating steady growth in the UK and Ireland in recent years, a trend that has continued throughout 2024.
The revised sales targets within the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate provide, says Bosch, much-needed clarity to the UK’s broad automotive sector. In addition, the company is calling on the UK Government to go further in its support for the industry by recognising hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines as being low emission, which would encourage investment in this technology that could have a powerful impact on reducing emissions from heavy duty vehicles such as lorries and off-highway vehicles such as bulldozers.
Steffen Hoffmann, managing director of Bosch UK and Ireland (pictured), said: “We continue to face challenging global economic conditions. Despite that, our Mobility Aftermarket continued to grow, and a strong consumer market for gardening products ensured ourConsumer Goods division saw modest growth. Our building technologies and service solutions businesses developed positively too.”
Bosch’s largest sector in the UK and Ireland is Bosch Mobility. Within this, the Mobility Aftermarket division continued the growth it has demonstrated consistently for almost a decade. Predominantly focused on car parts and servicing, Mobility Aftermarket benefits from people keeping their cars for longer. In addition, the Mobility Aftermarket team plays a pivotal role in training mechanics across the country to work on electric cars as well as those powered by internal combustion engines.
(Pic: Bosch UK and Ireland)road-bridge
May 16, 2025
Highway News
Ford Ditches Fnv4 Software Project After Reported $10 Billion In LossesFord has abruptly cancelled its flagship software architecture project, known as FNV4, which executives once described as “vital” to competing with electric vehicle (EV) leaders like Tesla. The decision, revealed to select employees last week, ends a multi-year effort to modernize the digital foundation of Ford’s vehicle lineup and streamline costly software systems.
According the CBT News, three sources who spoke with Reuters reported that the project was facing an end due to rising costs and persistent delays. The team designed the now-defunct FNV4 to unify and simplify vehicle software across electric and gasoline models. This design aimed to enable faster over-the-air updates and to create new revenue opportunities through features like driver-assist subscriptions.
Instead, Ford will focus on integrating insights from FNV4 into its existing software platforms and continue development through its Skunkworks team in California, which focuses on building advanced digital systems and affordable EVs. A Ford spokesperson confirmed the pivot, stating the company remains committed to fully connected vehicle experiences across all powertrains, not just EVs.
CEO Jim Farley had appointed Doug Field, a former executive at Tesla and Apple, to lead the FNV4 initiative. Field, one of the company’s top-paid executives, earned $15.5 million in 2023 and worked on delivering a “zonal” architecture that divides vehicle control into modular sections managed by a central computer.
Ford’s legacy software system, stitched together from dozens of suppliers, has long hindered its ability to deploy updates and ensure quality. In a 2023 podcast, Farley pointed out that Ford faced fragmentation in its software control system, prompting the company to request updates from external vendors like Bosch to modify seat controls. These complexities have contributed to repeated quality issues and industry-leading recall numbers since 2021.
The collapse of the FNV4 project marks a setback in Ford’s race against rivals General Motors and Stellantis in modernizing automotive electronics. Overall, Ford’s losses on EVs and software, partly due to FNV4, totaled $4.7 billion in 2023 and $5 billion in 2024.
Still, the company says it remains focused on speed and innovation. Meanwhile, industry experts say that achieving faster and more efficient software integration is a competitive necessity.
(Pic: Xi Zhang/Dreamstime.com)road-bridge
May 02, 2025
Highway News
Leeds City Bikes Expands With New E-Bike Model And Service AreasUsers of Leeds’ cycle hire scheme will benefit from a new model of electric bike when it launches next week. From Tuesday 22 April, 265 improved and easier to use e-bikes will be introduced to the Leeds City Bikes fleet.
Delivered by British e-bike hire operator Beryl, Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Leeds City Bikes scheme will also expand its service with 10 new docking stations being installed by next Tuesday.
The new ‘BBE2’ e-bikes are lighter and easier to lock and unlock, and boast a better range of up to 80 kilometres. The next-generation e-bike improves ride quality thanks to its 23-inch wheels with broad rims and puncture-resistant tyres, and a convenient 10kg capacity front basket. Accessibility is also prioritised with a low-step-through frame and adjustable seating for a wider range of riders (4’11” to 6’5″). Users are advised that the new e-bikes will feature a different lock mechanism than the existing BBE1 fleet.
Alongside the new e-bikes, Leeds City Bikes will be expanding its service area to include places like Roundhay and Oakwood – providing more residents and visitors with better access to sustainable transport options.
The new bikes will join the existing fleet, providing increased availability and choice for users.Phil Ellis, CEO at Beryl, said:“We are thrilled to be launching the BBE2 in Leeds and expanding the Leeds City Bikes service. Already, we have seen our bikes become a convenient and sustainable option for commuters and visitors alike – a practical and easy-to-use mobility solution. We look forward to seeing the reaction of riders to our innovative new BBE2, packed with new features and rider comforts.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, said:“Our cycle hire scheme has many benefits, helping people get around and improving their health and wellbeing. That’s why we’ve invested in making it a success – so I’m delighted to see its expansion and the rollout of new and improved bikes.
“This is an essential part of our vision to create a fully integrated transport network in a greener, better-connected region.”
(Pic: Leeds.gov.uk)road-bridge
Apr 17, 2025
Highway News
Research Names Areas With Most Reported Pothole PayoutsResearch has revealed that in recent years over £800,000 has been paid out to drivers who have experienced vehicle damage due to potholes. With this in mind motoring experts at BlackCircles sent Freedom of Information requests to local authorities across the UK to reveal the areas with the most reported potholes over the past five years, the number of potholes repaired each year and the total annual cost of pothole repairs.
BlackCircles also surveyed 2,000 people as part of their research, to determine what impact potholes have on UK motorists. The full research can be viewed here but the top three areas were:
1 – Hertfordshire takes top spot with an average payout per claim at £367.
Regarding compensation claims paid out by councils, Hertfordshire paid the highest average in 2023, at £367 per claim. This is slightly less than one and a half times the average payout (£261) and £93 less than the £460 drivers can expect to pay for vehicle damage caused by potholes.
2 – Suffolk and Surrey follow in joint second with an average payout per claim at £350.
Two local authorities take second place, with Suffolk and Surrey paying out an average of £350 per claim in 2023. According to the data, the most successful claims were made in Surrey, with almost one in six (14%) successful claims compared to just over one in 10 (11%) in Suffolk.
The survey revealed the following about the state of UK potholes:
Further findings also revealed:
James Harding, a motoring expert with 15 years of experience at Blackcircles, has commented on the findings from the pothole report:
“Reports have suggested that the estimated cost of repairing England and Wales’ pothole-plagued roads could amount to almost £17bn. The quality of the country’s roads has been heavily in the spotlight over recent weeks, with the Prime Minister pledging £1.6bn towards fixing the pothole pandemic the UK faces, but many believe more needs to be done.
Our latest research has uncovered the worst-hit areas of the UK for potholes and Newcastle comes out on top. The northwest city reported 3,275 potholes per 100 kilometres of road and our survey revealed that a third of local motorists have suffered damage to their vehicle at least once due to the city’s potholes.
As well as being a nuisance to motorists around the country, potholes are also putting a financial strain on local councils. The findings from our report revealed that Croydon was the area of the UK where the highest amount was spent repairing potholes, at over £500,000 per 100 kilometres of road. When combining the total cost spent on pothole repairs across the top 10 local authorities in our research, over £2.2 million has been spent, further highlighting the impact the quality of UK roads has on the country’s finances.”
(Pic: BlackCircles)road-bridge
Apr 17, 2025
Highway News
Nottingham City Council Welcomes £16.4Million Transport Funding BoostMore than £16m of external funding will be invested into Nottingham city’s transport network in 2025/26 thanks to the new East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
Nottingham City Council is expected to officially accept the funding at its Executive Board meeting on Tuesday 22 April.
EMCCA, which has now taken over the role of directing the allocation of local transport funding, is providing funding for projects in Nottingham in four streams:
This is a new funding stream for the region. It will enable transformational investment in infrastructure alongside the annual Highways Maintenance and Integrated Transport funding awards linked to the Local Transport Plan. This funding will be used to:
This funding will be used to:
This funding will allow the City Council to continue work on the next phase of walking and cycling improvements on Porchester Road, which will begin immediately.
Bus Service Improvement Plan £4.9m
This funding will be used to accelerate the decarbonisation of the council’s local bus fleet by offering funding that local bus operators can bid for to be used to purchase electric buses and adapt bus depots to EV charging technology
Councillor Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications said: “We are delighted to receive this investment into Nottingham thanks to the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
A 100% increase in the money we have available to maintain and fix our roads will mean we’re able to make a big difference tackling the potholes which risk the safety of cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.
Thanks to this funding, we’ll be able to make many positive changes to Keep Nottingham Moving, promote integrated transport and active travel, support our local economy, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality, creating a happier, healthier city.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “I am delighted we have been given this additional funding to invest in our roads and local transport programmes across the region. This is more than filling potholes and getting people from A to B, it’s about transforming lives and communities, and it will give us a fantastic opportunity to connect people across the region and make it easier to access jobs, skills training, health appointments, and our incredible tourist attractions.”
PIC-NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCILroad-bridge
Apr 16, 2025
Highway News
Autonomous Vehicles Triumphing Over Evil Human Drivers? New Book Offers “Alternative” ScenarioIn the real world, autonomous vehicles are still a work in progress as they become a more familiar sight on our city roads. In Noah Pickholtz’s fictional world however, they’re heroes combatting against the evils of distracted driving.
Pickholtz, a founder and tech investor based in Jerusalem, has written a pro-autonomous vehicle children’s book that centres on the titular heroine, cheekily named “Ayvee Hickle.”
It’s part of a broader effort by a small team at StellarNova publishing to familiarize the next generation with “autonomous vehicles, women in STEM fields, and beyond,” Pickholtz, StellarNova’s chief creative officer, told Business Insider.
In Eastern countries such as Japan, society tends to look favorably upon “autonomous elements,” he said, whereas the West can tend to think “Terminator” when they hear of robots. Books like “Ayvee Hickle” could be the antidote.
“That perception is definitely changing, and hopefully, we can be assistive in moving people’s minds to appreciate the value of what can be done,” he said.
In the story, Ayvee Hickel is a young female car with “extraordinary” gifts that later allow her to fight against the book’s villain, the diabolical Distracto.
Distracto is a monster truck representing everything wrong with human drivers. He causes other cars on the road to crash with his “Distracto-ray,” which sends vehicles “non-stop texts and notifications.” The book doesn’t explicitly depict human drivers, but the reference is clear.
“There was an externality concept of moving it out from the individual as being responsible to an external bad character,” Pickholtz said, wanting to depict the behaviors rather than the humans doing them.
Ayvee Hickel overcomes the obstacles thrown at her in the book – including bad weather – using superpowers activated by a computer named “Chippy.” The powers include camera vision and “radar and lidar super-sensors.”
(Pic: StellaNova)road-bridge
Apr 16, 2025
Highway News
Costain Completes Construction Of 41 M1 Emergency Areas Ahead Of ScheduleCostain, the infrastructure solutions company working as part of SMP Alliance, has completed the construction of 41 new emergency areas ahead of schedule between junctions 28 and 35A of the M1.
The emergency areas are on a 32-mile stretch of the motorway between Derbyshire and South Yorkshire. They are part of National Highways’ National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) programme, a £390m investment plan which, along with technology like stopped vehicle detection, aims to improve safety on the road network.
The emergency areas are stationed at regular intervals along the motorway where there isn’t a permanent hard shoulder, offering a safe place for road users to stop in an emergency. Each area is approximately 100 metres long and is clearly marked in orange tarmac and blue signs with an orange SOS telephone symbol.
Costain, as SMP Alliance on-site assembly partner, has now completed the installation of the final 22 emergency areas between junctions 28 and 30, with the spacing between emergency areas reduced by half.
The 32-mile stretch of road, which carries more than 200,000 vehicles a day, is now fully open for traffic at the national speed limit and has been completed ahead of schedule, improving regional mobility within Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
Jacky Li, project director at Costain, commented: “It’s a fantastic achievement to have delivered these three schemes, which cover more than 30 miles of one of the UK’s busiest motorways, ahead of schedule. Through a collaborative approach and a like-minded group of delivery and supplier network partners in SMP Alliance, we’ve been able to efficiently and safely deliver all 41 emergency areas for National Highways.
“Our work will improve the resilience of the local road network, and the additional emergency areas will increase safety, reduce disruption and improve mobility for road users for many years to come, helping to drive prosperity across Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.”
(Pic: Costain)road-bridge
Apr 16, 2025
Highway News
National Highways Lifts More Than A Thousand Miles Of Roadworks For EasterAs normal for major holiday getaways, National Highways is lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over the bank holiday.
The government says around 97.5% of major roads across England will be completely free from roadworks, “speeding up millions of journeys and boosting connectivity across the country to drive growth – the key priority in the government’s plan for change”.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “We are tackling the real problems that drivers face by lifting 1,127 miles of roadworks over Easter and cracking down on disruptive streetworks to make journeys to see loved ones as smooth as possible.
“Cutting journey times and saving drivers money every year is all part of our Plan for Change to raise living standards and put more money in people’s pockets.”
Significant routes seeing roadworks being lifted or completed in time for the Easter getaway include:
(Picture – DfT)road-bridge
Apr 16, 2025
Highway News
Southampton Secondary School Students Secure Funding For Their Active Travel And Road Safety CampaignsSouthampton City Council welcomed students from six secondary schools in the Southampton area to the first Modeshift Active Travel Ambassador event.
The event was opened by the Southampton-born, Team GB paralympic gold medallist, Aaron Phipps MBE who praised the students for being role models. Aaron won Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in Wheelchair Rugby and spoke to students about his awe-inspiring journey, overcoming adversity and showing incredible resilience.
Aaron Phipps, MBE, said: “It was a pleasure to meet so many enthusiastic children from Southampton schools and hearing their really innovative ideas for active travel campaigns. I fully applaud and respect their efforts to get their school community out of cars and walking and wheeling to their school. It was great to hear that my speech at the event about what I have achieved in my life really inspired them to double their efforts and make their active travel campaigns a success. I wish them all the very best of luck!”
The Active Travel Ambassador (ATA) programme gives young people aged 11 upwards the confidence and skills to tackle the transport issues affecting their school. Schools have been supported by Modeshift’s ATA Coordinator and Southampton City Council’s and Hampshire County Council’s School Travel Team Officers to help them research and develop behaviour change campaigns, focusing on active travel and road safety which they presented to a panel of experts to secure funding to deliver their campaigns.
Students and staff from Oasis Academy Sholing, Redbridge Community School, St Anne’s Catholic School, St George Catholic College, Woodlands Community College and Noadswood School, all travelled sustainably to the event by walking, taking the bus or train. Those travelling by train to the event were supported by the Hampshire Community Rail Partnership with free rail tickets.
The student ambassadors passionately presented a range of ideas to address the issues they identified, including: campaigns to stop parents/carers’ vehicles idling outside of the school gate and to promote and encourage more students to cycle to school. Other campaigns focused on improving mental health through more active journeys, running inter school active travel competitions, engaging staff to travel more sustainably to school, and holding a sponsored walk to raise money to support further campaigns.
The thorough presentations and campaign ideas impressed the panel members, who then questioned the students about their campaigns. The panel decided that every school should receive £200 from Modeshift to deliver their campaigns and to build on the excellent work they had already completed.
The standout campaign, and an additional £50 of funding, was awarded to St George Catholic College for their ideas of creating active travel ‘bingo’ cards to motivate students to be more active throughout the day, using journey tracking apps to run an inter class active travel competition, and holding a teacher versus teacher ‘Olympics’ to raise funds for more prizes for active travel competitions.
Councillor Eamonn Keogh, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I was delighted to be able to take part in this fantastic event and it is so encouraging to see our city’s students talk so confidently and passionately about active travel, road safety and air quality. The students have clearly worked hard to identify the travel issues local to their school and develop targeted campaigns to resolve these issues. With the funding provided by Modeshift, the students have a fantastic opportunity to be the voice of change within their schools and I look forward to seeing the delivery and impact of their campaigns”.
Ross Butcher, the Chair of Modeshift said: “The Modeshift Active Travel Ambassadors programme empowers secondary school pupils by giving them the skills and confidence to tackle travel issues in their school. They are working incredibly hard to promote the benefits of walking, cycling and wheeling, acting as active travel role models to their friends and peers and leaving a legacy in their school community.”
Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council both offer schools free travel planning support to identify barriers to active travel and road safety issues, and then jointly work with schools to resolve these issues through a range of behaviour change initiatives, campaigns and activities.
PIC-SOUTHAMPTON CCroad-bridge
Apr 16, 2025